START FOR THE RELIEF OF THE REAR COLUMN.
Escorted by various tribes to Mukangi--Camp at Ukuba
village--Arrival at Fort Bodo--Our invalids in Ugarrowwa's
care--Lieutenant Stairs' report on his visit to bring up the
invalids to Fort Bodo--Night visits by the malicious dwarfs--A
general muster of the garrison--I decide to conduct the Relief
Force in person--Captain Nelson's ill-health--My little fox-terrier
"Randy"--Description of the fort--The Zanzibaris--Estimated time to
perform the journey to Yambuya and back--Lieutenant Stairs'
suggestion about the steamer _Stanley_--Conversation with
Lieutenant Stairs in reference to Major Barttelot and the Rear
Column--Letter of instructions to Lieutenant Stairs.
On the 1st of June, escorted by a score of Mazamboni's people, we marched
westward from Undussuma. In an hour and a half we reached Urumangwa. This
district furnished an escort of about a hundred, the Mazambonis
withdrawing to their homes. At Unyabongo, after a two hours' march, the
people of Urumangwa likewise withdrew, yielding their honourable duties
to the people of the new district, and these escorted us for an hour and
a half, and saw us safely housed and abundantly fed at Mukangi. For a
short time before the latter place we were drawn up in battle array, and
a fight was imminent, but the courage and good sense of its chief enabled
both parties to avoid a useless rupture.
A good example has its imitators as well as bad examples. The chiefs of
Wombola and Kametté heard how quickly we had embraced the friendly offers
of Mukangi, and when we marched through their districts the next day not
one war-cry was heard or a hostile figure appeared. Those of Kametté
called out to us to keep on our way, it is true, but it was just, as we
had no business in Kametté, and the day was yet young; but on our arrival
at the next village, Ukuba, we were tired, and disposed to rest after a
five hours' march. But Ukuba, of Bessé district, had already experienced
our weapons on the 12th April last, and we were permitted to camp
quietly. At sunset we were gratified at seeing several of the natives
walking unarmed to camp, and in the morning they came again with presents
of a milch goat, some fowls, and enough plantains for all.
On the 3rd we pressed on rapidly, and captured the canoes to ferry our
party across the Ituri, which, though there had been but little rain of
late, we found to be as full as in rainy April.
On the next day we captured a woman of Mandé after crossing the river,
and released her to tell her people that we were harmless enough if the
road was undisturbed. It may extend the area over which peace between us
and the natives is established.
On the 5th we camped at Baburu, and on the next day at W. Indenduru. On
the 7th a seven hours' march brought us to a stream called Miwalé River,
from the great number of raphia palms; and the next day we entered Fort
Bodo, bringing with us six head of cattle, a flock of sheep and goats, a
few loads of native tobacco, four gallons of the Pasha's whisky, and some
other little luxuries, to joy the hearts of the garrison.
Such an utter silence prevails in the forest that we were mutually
ignorant of each other's fate during our sixty-seven days' separation.
Until we approached within 400 yards of Fort Bodo we could not divine
what had become of Lieutenant Stairs, who, it will be remembered, had
been despatched on the 16th February to Ugarrowwa's to conduct such
convalescents as could be found there to us to share in such fortune as
might happen to us in the open country, whose very view had proved so
medicinable to our men. Nor could the garrison guess what luck had
happened to us. But when our rifles woke up the sleeping echoes of the
forest with their volleys, the sounds had scarcely died away before the
rifles of the garrison responded, and as we knew that Fort Bodo still
existed, those immured within the limits of the clearing became aware
that we had returned from the Nyanza.
Lieutenant Stairs was first to show himself and hail us, and close after
him Captain Nelson, both in excellent condition, but of rather pasty
complexion. Their men then came trooping up, exuberant joy sparkling in
their eyes and glowing in their faces, for these children of Nature know
not the art of concealing their moods or disguising their emotions.
But, alas! for my estimates. Since I have entered the forest region they
have always been on the erring side. After computing carefully, as I
thought, every mile of the course to be travelled and every obstacle
likely to be met by him and his lightly-laden escort, I was certain
Lieutenant Stairs would be with us after an absence of thirty-nine days.
We stayed forty-seven days, as we were assured it would please him to be
present at the successful termination or crowning triumph of our efforts.
He arrived after seventy-one days' absence, and by that date we had
already communicated with Emin Pasha.
I had estimated also that out of the fifty-six invalids left in the care
of Ugarrowwa, and boarded at our expense, at least forty convalescents
would be ready, fit for marching, but Mr. Stairs found most of them in
worse condition than when they parted from us. All the Somalis were dead
except one, and the survivor but lived to reach Ipoto. Out of the
fifty-six there were but thirty-four remaining. One of these was Juma,
with foot amputated; three were absent foraging. Out of the thirty sorry
band of living skeletons delivered to him fourteen died on the road, one
was left at Ipoto, the remaining fifteen survived to exhibit their nude
bodies disfigured by the loathliest colours and effects of chronic
disease. The following is the letter describing Mr. Stairs' remarkable
journey, which amply accounts for his detention:--
"Fort Bodo, Ibwiri, Central Africa,
"_June 6th, 1888_.
"Sir,--
"I have the honour to report that in accordance with your orders of
the 15th February, 1888, I left this place on the 16th of that
month with an escort of twenty couriers and other details, to
proceed to Ugarrowwa's station on the Ituri, forward the couriers
on their journey to Major Barttelot's column, relieve the invalids
left in charge of Ugarrowwa, and bring them on to this station.
"Leaving this place, then, on the 16th, we reached Kilimani Hill
village on the 17th. Next day I decided to follow a large native
track, well worn, about two miles west of Kilimani on our through
track to Ipoto; accordingly we started off this up till 11 a.m.
After we had gone this length, the track struck too much to the
north and east; I therefore looked for other tracks, hoping by
following one to at last get on to a large road, and thus work
through to the Ihuru. Finding one, we followed it up some two miles
or so, and then found that it ended abruptly, and no further trace
could be found of it. Returning to our former road we moved on, and
that day made four more endeavours to get north-west or somewhere
in that direction; late at night we camped, just before dark,
having found a blazed track. On the next day, 19th, we followed
this track north-west at a fast rate, and about 10 a.m. came on to
an old village. The blazes here ended; no further signs of a track
could we find leading out of the village, though we hunted
thoroughly in every direction. Returning again, and following a
large track north-east, we made still another try, but here again
the track ended.
"After some consideration I returned to our camp of yesterday, and
decided on following a road leading towards Mabungu, and then take
a side road, said by the natives to lead to the Ihuru, but on
following this we found it lead merely up to some Wambutti huts,
and here ran out.
"After taking my head men's opinion, I then decided on returning
and following our old road to Ipoto, there to procure two guides
and follow on the track to Uledi's village, and there cross the
Ihuru and follow down on north side, &c. My reasons for doing these
were: If I should go on like this, looking for tracks, I should
lose probably four or five days, and this with my limited time
would not be admissible; and, secondly, that to attempt to split
our way on a bearing through the bush to the river would take
perhaps five days, which would quite counterbalance any advantage a
north road might possess. Reaching Kilonga Longa's on the 22nd, we
arranged for a party to take us by a road south of Ituri, and on
the 24th left. On the 1st of March crossed the Lenda, courses now
N.W. and N.N.W. On the 9th reached Farishi, the upper station of
Ugarrowwa. On the 14th we reached Ugarrowwa's, on the Ituri, early
in the morning. For many days we had been having rains, and owing
to these I suffered very much from fevers, and on getting to
Ugarrowwa's had to remain in bed for two days.
"At U.'s some eight or ten were away foraging, and to get these
required three and a half days.
"Fifty-six (56) men were left with Ugarrowwa, viz., five Somalis,
five Nubians, and forty-six Zanzibaris, on the 18th of September,
1887. Of this total twenty-six had died, including all the Somalis
except Dualla. There were still two men out when I left. Baraka W.
Moussa I detailed as a courier in place of another (who had been
left at Ipoto with bad ulcer), and Juma B. Zaid remained with
Ugarrowwa.
"The majority of the men were in a weak state when I arrived, and
on leaving I refused to take seven of these. Ugarrowwa, however,
point blank refused to keep them, so thus I was obliged to bring on
men with the certainty of their dying on the march.
"Early on the 16th, Abdullah and his couriers were despatched down
river. On the 17th took our forty-four rifles from Ugarrowwa, and
out of these made him a present of two and forty-two rounds
Remington ammunition.
"On the 18th closed with U. for $870, being $30 for twenty-nine
men; also handed him his bills of exchange and your letter.
"On same day left for Ibwiri with following.
"From the 19th to 23rd, when I reached Farishi, the rain was
constant, making the track heavy and the creeks difficult in
crossing. From here on to Ipoto I had bad fevers day after day, and
having no one to carry me, had to make marches of five to seven
miles per day. The constant wettings and bad roads had made all the
men very low-spirited, some doubting even that there was help
ahead. Reached Ipoto April 11th, left 13th; and after more trouble
from fever reached here on 26th April. All glad to see the Fort.
Dualla, the Somali, I was obliged to leave at Ipoto. Tam, a former
donkey-boy, deserted on the road. Of the draft of invalids
(twenty-six) ten had died. Kibwana also died from chest disease in
camp near Mambungu. Out of fifty-six invalids brought fourteen
alive to the Fort.
"On reaching Fort Bodo I found you had been so long gone that I
could not follow up with safety with the few rifles I could
command, and so remained at this station and reported myself to
Captain Nelson, who was left in charge of the Fort by you.
"Floods, rains, fevers, and other illnesses had been the cause of
our long delay, and those of us who were in fit condition at all,
felt bitterly the disappointment at not being able to reach you.
"I have the honour to be, &c.,
"W. G. Stairs, Lieut. R.E.
"To M. H. Stanley, Esq."
Of the condition of the garrison at Fort Bodo there was but little to
complain; the ulcerous persons, though nothing improved, were not worse;
the anæmic victims of the tortures of Manyuema at Ipoto had gained
possibly a few ounces in weight; the chronically indolent and malingerers
still existed to remind us by their aspects of misery that they were not
suitable for the long and desperate journey yet before us. We expected
all this. The long journey to Yambuya and back, 1,070 miles, could never
be performed by unwilling men. It would be volunteers, fired by interest,
stimulated by the knowledge that, this one task ended, forest miseries,
famine, damp, rain, mud, gloom, vegetable diet, poisoned arrows, would be
things and griefs of the past; and then the joys of the grass land,
divine light, brightness and warmth of full day, careering of grass
before the refreshing gales, the consolation of knowing that heaven is
above, and the earth, yet full of glad life, glowing with beneficence and
blandness, ever before them. Oh, gracious God! hasten the day. But can
black men, the "brutes," "niggers," "black devils," feel so? We shall
see.
One crop of Indian corn had been harvested, and was stored snugly in
granaries, the fields were being prepared anew for replanting, the banana
plantations still furnished unlimited supplies of food, the sweet
potatoes grew wild in various places, and there was a fair stock of
beans.
The malicious dwarfs (the Wambutti) had paid nocturnal visits, and
ravaged somewhat the corn fields, and Lieut. Stairs, with a few choice
spirits of the garrison, had given chase to the marauders and had routed
them, losing one man in the action, but scaring the undersized thieves
effectually.
The Fort now contained 119 Zanzibaris of the Advance, four of Emin
Pasha's soldiers, ninety-eight Madi carriers, and three whites from the
Albert Nyanza, besides fifty-seven Zanzibaris and Soudanese, and two
officers who formed the garrison--total, 283 souls. It was out of this
number we were to form a column of Zanzibari volunteers and Madi carriers
to hasten to the relief of Major Barttelot and the Rear Column.
After a two days' rest a general muster was made. The necessities of our
condition were explained aloud to them; our white brothers were labouring
under God alone knew what difficulties--difficulties that appeared
greater to them than they did to us, inasmuch as we had gone through them
and survived, and could afford to make light of them. For knowledge would
teach us to be more prudent of our rations, where to refresh our jaded
bodies, and when to hasten through the intervening wildernesses,
husbanding our resources. Our meeting would rejoice our poor friends,
distressed by our long absence, and our good news would reanimate the
most feeble and encourage the despairing. They all knew what treasures of
cloth and beads were in charge of the Rear Column. We could not carry
all, as indeed there was no need for so much. How could it better be
bestowed than on the tireless faithful fellows who had taken their master
twice to the Nyanza and back to his long-lost friends! "I pray you, then,
come to my side ye that are willing, and ye that prefer to stay in the
Fort remain in the ranks."
Exulting in their lusty strength, perfect health, and in their
acknowledged worth, 107 men cried aloud, "To the Major!" "To the Major!"
and sprang to my side, leaving only six, who were really indisposed by
illness and growing ulcers, in their places.
Those who understand men will recognize some human merits exhibited on
this occasion, though others may be as blind in perceiving the finer
traits in human nature, as there are many utterly unable to perceive in a
picture the touches which betray the masterful hand of a great painter,
or in a poem the grace and smoothness, combined with vigour and truth, of
the true poet.
After selecting out a few of the garrison to replace those unable to
undertake the long march before us, there remained only to distribute
twenty-five days' rations of Indian corn to each member of the Relief
Force, and to advise that in addition each man and boy should prepare as
much plantain flour as he could carry.
Until the evening of the 15th of June all hands were engaged in reducing
the hard corn with pestle and mortar and sieve into flour, or corn rice,
called "grits," in peeling the plantains, slicing, drying them on wood
grating over a slow fire, and pounding them into fine flour. I, on my
part, besides arranging the most needful necessaries required for general
uses, had many personal details to attend to, such as repairs of
pantaloons, shoes, chair, umbrella, rain-coat, etc.
My intention was to conduct the Relief Force in person, unattended by any
officers, for many reasons, but mainly because every European implied
increase of baggage, which was now required to be of the very smallest
limit consistent with the general safety. Besides, Lieut. Stairs, in my
opinion, deserved rest after his trip to Ipoto to bring the steel boat to
Fort Bodo, and his journey to Ugarrowwa's was to conduct the
convalescents. Captain Nelson, ever since the latter part of September,
1887, had been subject to ever-varying complaints--first ulcers, then a
general debility which almost threatened his life, then skin eruptions,
lumbago, tender feet, and fits of obstinate ague. To a person in such a
vitiated condition of blood a journey of the kind about to be undertaken
would doubtless prove fatal. Dr. Parke, the only other officer availing,
was needed for the sick at the Fort, as in truth the entire garrison
consisted mainly of people requiring medical attendance and treatment.
With great difficulty we were able to select fourteen men of the garrison
to accompany Captain Nelson as far as Ipoto, to convey the dozen loads of
baggage still remaining there; but as we were about to start, the Captain
was prostrated with another attack of intermittent fever, and a strange
swelling of the hand, which made it necessary for Dr. Parke to replace
him for this short journey.
The faithful little fox-terrier "Randy," which had borne the fatigues of
the double march to the Albert Nyanza so well, and had been such a good
friend to us in an hour of great need, and had become the pet of every
one, though "Randy" would not permit a Zanzibari to approach me
unannounced, was committed to the care of Lieutenant Stairs, in the hope
of saving him the thousand-mile journey now before us. But the poor dog
misjudged my purpose, and resolutely refused his food from the moment I
left him, and on the third day after my departure he died of a broken
heart.
Upon carefully considering the state of the Fort, and the condition of
its garrison, and the capacity of its Commandant, Lieut. Stairs, who
would be assisted by Captain Nelson and Dr. Parke, I felt the utmost
assurance that, with sixty rifles and abundant stores of ammunition, they
were invulnerable from any attack of forest natives, however strong their
forces might be. A wide and deep ditch ran round two-thirds of it. At
each of its angles a commanding platform, closely fenced, had been
erected, with approaches and flanks duly under rifle range, and each
angle was connected by a continuous stockade, well banked with earth
without and supported within by a firm banquette. The main roads leading
to the Fort were also fenced, to serve as obstructions. The village
inhabited by the garrison lay on the side unprotected by the ditch, and
was arranged in V shape, to mask the entrance into the Fort. During
daylight no hostile party could approach within 150 yards of the Fort
unperceived. At night ten sentries would be sufficient precaution against
surprise and fire.
This protection was not so much designed against natives alone as against
a possible--and by no means unlikely--combination of Manyuema with
natives. As much might be urged for the likelihood of such a combination
as against it; but it is a totally wrong policy to be idle before an
uncertain issue, and of the hundreds of camps or stations established by
me in Africa, not one has been selected without considering every near or
remote contingency.
I was about to leave Fort Bodo without the least anxiety respecting the
natives and Manyuema, as also without fear of incompatibility between the
officers and Zanzibaris. The officers were now acquainted with the
language of their people, as well as with their various habits, tempers,
and moods, and the men could equally distinguish those of their officers.
Both parties also believed that their stay at Fort Bodo was not likely to
be protracted, as the Pasha had promised to visit them within two months,
and from a visit of one of his considerate and thoughtful character they
might surely infer they would derive pleasure as well as profit. On his
return to the Nyanza they could accompany him, abandoning the Fort to its
fate.
Of the fidelity of the Zanzibaris there was also no room for doubt.
However tyrannical or unjust the officers might be--an extreme
conjecture--the Zanzibaris could only choose between them on the one
hand, and the cannibalism of the Wambutti and the incarnate cruelty of
the Manyuema on the other.
Would that I could have felt the same confidence and contentment of mind
regarding the Rear Column. With the lapse of months had been the increase
of my anxiety. As week after week had flown by, my faith in its safety
had become weakened and my mind fatigued--with the continual conflict of
its hopes and doubts, with the creation of ingenious and fine theories,
and their no less subtle demolition, was, perforce, constrained for its
own repose and health to forbear thought and take refuge in the firm
belief that the Major was still at Yambuya, but abandoned. Our duty was,
therefore, to proceed to Yambuya, select the most necessary material
equal to our carrying force, and march back to the Nyanza again with what
speed we might.
On this supposition I framed an estimate of the time to be occupied by
the journey, and handed it, with a letter of instructions, to the
Commandant of the Fort for his use:--
"Whereas the distance between Fort Bodo to the Nyanza is 125 miles,
and has been performed in 288 hours' marching, or 74 days, inclusive of
halts.
"Whereas we travelled the distance from Yambuya to Ugarrowwa's
in 289 hours = 74 days.
"Whereas Lieutenant Stairs marched from Ugarrowwa's
to Fort Bodo in 26 "
---
100 "
"Therefore our journey to Yambuya will probably occupy 100 days, and the
same period back. From June 16th, 1888, to January 2nd, 1889, is 200
days. We may reasonably be expected on January 2nd at Fort Bodo, and on
the 22nd of the same month at Lake Albert.
"Or thus: Starting June 16th, 1888:--
"Fort Bodo to Ugarrowwa's July 5th
Thence to Avisibba " 25th
" " Mupé Aug. 14th
" " Yambuya Sept. 3rd
Halt 10 days -- " 13th
Return to Mupé Oct. 3rd
" " Panga Falls " 23rd
" " Fort Bodo Dec. 22nd
Halt 5 days -- " 27th
Thence to Albert Nyanza Jan. 16th, 1889."
* * * * *
The last evening of my stay at Fort Bodo, while reciting over the several
charges, general and personal, entrusted to him, Lieut. Stairs suggested
that perhaps the non-arrival of the steamer _Stanley_ at Yambuya
accounted for the utter silence respecting the Rear Column. I then
replied in the following terms:--
"That is rather a cruel suggestion, my dear sir; that is the least I
fear, for as well as I was able I provided against that accident. You
must know that when the _Stanley_ departed from the Yambuya on the 28th
of June, I delivered several letters to the captain of the steamer. One
was to my good friend Lieut. Liebrichts, Governor of Stanley Pool
district, charging him, for old friendship's sake, to despatch the
steamer back as soon as possible with our goods and reserve ammunition.
"Another was to Mr. Swinburne, my former secretary, who was the soul of
fidelity, to the effect that in case the _Stanley_ met with such an
accident as to prevent her return to Yambuya, he would be pleased to
substitute the steamer _Florida_ for her, as the owners were business
men, and full compensation in cash, which I guaranteed, would find as
ready an acceptance with them as profits from the ivory trade.
"A third letter was to Mr. Antoine Greshoff, the agent at Stanley Pool
for the Dutch house at Banana, to the effect that, failing both steamers
_Stanley_ and _Florida_, he would find a large ready money profit if he
would undertake the transport of the stores of the Expedition from
Stanley Pool, and 128 men from Bolobo, to Yambuya. Whatever reasonable
freight and fare he would charge, immediate payment was guaranteed by
me.
"A fourth letter was to our officer in charge at Stanley Pool, Mr. John
Rose Troup, to the effect that, failing the steamers _Stanley_,
_Florida_, and Mr. Greshoff's, he was to use his utmost powers and means
to collect boats and canoes, at whatever cost, ready at hand, and
communicate with Messrs. Ward and Bonny at Bolobo. Mr. Ward at Bolobo was
also enjoined to do the like in Uyanzi, and man these vessels with the
Zanzibaris and natives, and transport by stages the various stores to the
intrenched camp at Yambuya. This last would scarcely be needed, as it is
extremely improbable that from June 28th, 1887, to June 16th,
1888--nearly twelve months--neither the _Stanley_, the _Florida_, nor
Mr. Greshoff's steamer would be available for our service.
"Besides, you must remember that both captain and engineer of the
_Stanley_ were each promised a reward of £50 sterling if they would
arrive within reasonable time. Such amounts to poor men are not trifles,
and I feel assured that if they have not been prevented by their
superiors from fulfilling their promise, all goods and men arrived safely
at Yambuya."
"You still think, then, that in some way Major Barttelot is the cause of
this delay?"
"Yes, he and Tippu-Tib. The latter of course has broken his contract.
There is no doubt of that. For if he had joined his 600 carriers, or half
that number, with our Zanzibaris, we should have heard of them long ago,
either at Ipoto, when you returned there for the boat, or later, when you
reached Ugarrowwa's, March 16th this year. The letter of September 18th,
1887, when only eighty-one days absent from Yambuya, and which the Arab
promised without delay, would certainly have produced an answer by this
if the Major had departed from Yambuya. Those carriers, all choice men,
well armed, acquainted with the road, despatched with you to Ugarrowwa's
on February 16th, and seen by you safely across the river opposite his
station on the 16th of the following month, would surely by this have
returned if the Rear Column was only a few weeks' march from Yambuya;
therefore I am positive in my mind that Major Barttelot is in some way or
other the cause of the delay."
"Well, I am sure, however you may think the Major is disloyal, I----."
"Disloyal! Why, whoever put you in mind of that word? Such a word has no
connection with any man on this Expedition, I hope. Disloyal! Why should
any one be disloyal? And disloyal to whom?"
"Well, not disloyal, but negligent, or backward in pressing on; I feel
sure he has done his best."
"No doubt he has done his level best, but as I wrote to him on September
18th, in my letter to be given to him by Ugarrowwa's carriers, it is his
'rashness and inexperience I dread,' not his disloyalty or negligence. I
fear the effect of indiscriminate punishments on his people has been such
that the vicinity of Stanley Falls and the Arabs has proved an
irresistible temptation to desert. If our letters miscarry in any way,
our long absence--twelve months nearly to this day, and by the time we
reach Yambuya fourteen months at least!--will be a theme for all kinds of
reports. When the Zanzibaris from Bolobo reached him he ought to have had
over 200 carriers. In twelve months--assuming that the goods and men
arrived in due date, and that, finding Tippu-Tib had broken faith, he
began the move as he promised--he would be at Panga Falls; but if the
severe work has demoralized him, and he has demoralized his carriers,
well, then, he is stranded far below Panga Falls--probably at Wasp
Rapids, probably at Mupé or at Banalya, or at Gwengweré Rapids--with but
100 despairing carriers and his Soudanese, and he is perforce compelled
by the magnitude of his task to halt and wait. I have tried every
possible solution, and this is the one on which my opinion becomes
fixed."
"Do you allow only 100 left? Surely that is very low."
"Why? I estimate his loss at what we have lost--about 50 per cent. We
have lost slightly less; for from our original force of 389 souls there
are 203 still alive:--4 at Nyanza, 60 in the Fort, 119 going with me, and
20 couriers."
"Yes; but the Rear Column has not endured a famine such as we have had."
"Nor have they enjoyed the abundance that we have fed upon for the last
seven months, therefore we are perhaps equal. But it is useless to
speculate further upon these points."
"The success which was expected from my plans has eluded me. The Pasha
never visited the south end of the Lake, as I suggested to him in my
letter from Zanzibar. This has cost us four months, and of Barttelot
there is not a word. Our men have fallen by scores, and wherever I turn
there is no comfort to be derived from the prospect. Evil hangs over this
forest as a pall over the dead; it is like a region accursed for crimes;
whoever enters within its circle becomes subject to Divine wrath. All we
can say to extenuate any error that we have fallen into is, that our
motives are pure, and that our purposes are neither mercenary nor
selfish. Our atonement shall be a sweet offering, the performance of our
duties. Let us bear all that may be put upon us like men bound to the
sacrifice, without one thought of the results. Each day has its weight of
troubles. Why should we think of the distresses of to-morrow? Let me
depart from you with the conviction that in my absence you will not
swerve from your duty here, and I need not be anxious for you. If the
Pasha and Jephson arrive with carriers, it is better for you, for them,
and for me that you go; if they do not come, stay here until my return.
Give me a reasonable time, over and above the date--the 22nd of December;
then if I return not, consult with your friends, and afterwards with your
men, and do what is best and wisest. As for us, we shall march back to
the place where Barttelot may be found, even as far as Yambuya, but to no
place beyond, though he may have taken everything away with him down the
Congo. If he has left Yambuya and wandered far away south-east instead of
east, I will follow him up and overtake him, and will cut through the
forest in the _most_ direct way to Fort Bodo. You must imagine all this
to have taken place if I do not arrive in December, and consider that
many other things may have occurred to detain us before you yield to the
belief that we have parted for ever."
The following is the letter of instructions to Lieut. Stairs:--
"Fort Bodo, Central Africa,
"_June 13th, 1888_.
"Sir,--
"During my absence with the advance party of the Expedition, now
about to return to the assistance of Major Barttelot and Rear
Column, I appoint you Commandant of Fort Bodo. I leave with you a
garrison, inclusive of sick, numbering nearly sixty rifles. The men
mainly are not of the calibre requisite for a garrison in a
dangerous country. Still they can all shoot off their rifles, are
in good condition, and you have abundance of ammunition. My
principal reliance is on the Commandant himself. If the chief is
active and wary, our fort is safe, and no combination of natives
can oust the garrison from its shelter. I need not tell you that I
leave you with confidence.
"Respecting the improvements to be made in the Fort, which I have
verbally explained to you, I would suggest that as the Fort when
completed will be more extensive than at present, you elect about
twenty or thirty of the more decent and cleanly of the men to
occupy the buildings in the Fort, until such time as they are
wanted for other persons, because--
"1st. You are in no danger, then, of being cut off by a daring foe
from your garrison.
"2nd. One-third of your men will be then within the gates ready at
your most sudden call.
"3rd. The buildings within the Fort will be kept dry and in a
habitable condition by being occupied.
"_Corn._ Begin planting corn about July 15th. 1st July you should
begin hoeing up, clearing the ground.
"_Bananas._ I am exceedingly anxious about the bananas. Twice a
week there should be sent a strong patrol round the plantations to
scare the natives, and also elephants. For the latter half-a-dozen
fires at as many points might suffice.
"An officer should be sent out with the patrol, to have a reliable
report of what transpires; should he report the bananas as getting
scanty, then you should begin rationing your people, always
obtaining your supplies by detachments from the most distant points
of the plantations. Let the bananas nearest the Fort reach
maturity, just as you would your corn. Along the main roads it
would also be well to leave plantations alone until they mature.
"I leave Captain Nelson as second in command, to take charge when
you are incapacitated by illness or accident.
"Dr. T. H. Parke, A.M.D., remains here as surgeon to take charge of
the sick.
"It is, of course, impossible to say when we shall return, as we
have not the least idea whereabouts the Rear Column is, but we
shall do our best. If the Major is still at Yambuya, you may expect
us in December sometime.
"I expect Emin Pasha and Mr. Jephson in here about two months
hence--say about the middle of August.
"Should Mr. Jephson appear with a sufficient force of carriers,
then I should recommend the evacuation of the Fort and take the
garrison, and accompany Mr. Jephson to the Nyanza, and put yourself
and force at the disposition of Emin Pasha until my return. As I
come eastward I propose following a northerly and easterly track
from the Nepoko and make for the Ituri ferry.
"In order that on reaching the Ituri ferry I may know whether you
have evacuated the Fort or not, please remember that on the right
bank of the river, near the ferry, there are a number of very tall
trees, on which you could carve a number of broad arrows, which
would indicate that you had passed. You could also carve date of
crossing the Ituri on a conspicuous place near the ferry. This
would save me a great deal of time and anxiety respecting you.
"As our twenty couriers left here 16th February, it will be four
months, June 16th, since they left. If Jephson appears in about
two months, say, the time will then be about six months since the
couriers left Fort Bodo--quite sufficient time to dispel all doubt
about them.
"I wish you and your associates good health and safe arrival at the
Nyanza. On our part we will do our work with what celerity
circumstances will permit.
"Yours faithfully,
"(Signed) Henry M. Stanley,
"Commanding E. P. R. Expedition.
"To Lieut. W. G Stairs,
"Commandant Fort Bodo."